Max was ahead at the apex and took the racing line
You have to be ahead of the other car before going into the corner to be able to 'claim' the corner and choose the racing line.
You are also required to leave the other car sufficient room on the track, which Max didn't do. It was a classic block pass, but Max only just made the corner himself with 2 wheels off the track. If Max had been able to turn a little earlier (which he either couldn't or chose not to) then it should have been a penalty or a requirement to give back the position.
While leaving the track to gain an advantage is against the rules, so is forcing/crowding a car off the track. That, and it was the first lap, is why I think there was no further action on the incident.
However, like with all of these things whichever drive you support will influence your bias.
Did they though?
Toto didn't do himself any favours trying to influence the stewards decision. Litteraly begging them not to pull out the safety car,
It would seem the race directly did not entirely follow the FIA's own rules.
Did this breach affect the outcome of the race? Probably.
Is the breach bad enough to warrant some change to the result? Probably not.
Seems there will be a further appeal by Merc and it could end up in court, which is a rubbish way to settle an exciting championship. I hope Lewis might tell them to let it go for the good of the sport, as ultimately it's his championship/race that was lost not the constructors championship...
Even in defeat Lewis (and his dad) were gracious. Not like last weekend when Max stropped his way off the podium...